While Iíve had the opportunity to try a number of rare or one-off releases as Coloradoan beer reporter, the best beer I ever had came when I toured Belgium in 2003.

I was in Brussels at the time, and like most tourists, my friends and I went to see the Manneken Pis.

For those not familiar, the Manneken Pis is a 17th century bronze statuette made by Jerome Duquesnoy. The small fountain depicts a boy urinating and is meant to capture the spirit of the city.

As we were snapping a picture with the statuette, a group of guys came barreling up, jumped the gate and climbed up on the fountain. Soon followed a keg of beer, which they hooked up to the fountain.

Before we knew what was happening, the Manneken Pis had been transformed into an ornate beer dispenser.

The group, which attracted a crowd, started filling plastic cups with beer and passing them around.

When we all had a cup of the beer in hand, we said cheers and drank it down. To this day I have no idea what kind of beer it was.

My French is lacking. It had a cherry flavor to it, and was delicious.

It could have been Brasserie Lefebvre Belgian Kriek, which makes the most sense, or it could have been some run-of-the-mill beer I can pick up at any liquor store.

In reality, I was probably fortunate that I didnít succumb to some kind of virus drinking beer that had passed through the bronze urethra of a 400-year-old statuette, but in my mind, it was the best beer Iíve ever had.

Why? Because of the experience that surrounded it.

Odds are, even if I tired, Iíll never be able to drink cherry Belgian beer from the Manneken Pis again in my life.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The same stands true for those who got a bottle of Westvleteren 12. Even if it tastes like monk urine, those who waited in line all night and paid $85 for it will love it for the experience.

David Young covers beer, bikes, entrepreneurs and innovators for the Coloradoan. Reach him at davidyoung@coloradoan.com or (970) 224-7857.